The Student Voice of Mapletown High School

The importance of self-care

By Madeira Halow
February 13, 2018

GREENSBORO – These days it can be hard to prioritize things like eating breakfast, going to the gym, or even making plans with friends when we have all these other arguably more important things to do with our time.

But the ripple effects from skipping out on activities that are good for your mental and physical health, can be detrimental. So what’s the solution?

Self-care (n) : is any necessary human regulatory function which is under individual control, deliberate and self-initiated.

When push comes to shove, self care is often always put behind work, home, school, etc. We’ve all done it. From staying up all night to cram for a test the next day, to skipping meals, we always reason with ourselves that it’s not a big deal. This repeated neglect-of- self due to an overwhelming lifestyle often leads to “overload burnout” because people push themselves too far without taking proper care of their mind and body.

Most people feel that taking a break for themselves is a luxury they can’t afford, but it’s quite the contrary. Taking care of yourself is a big part of being a success because it reduces stress and helps you to refocus.